Forty-four per cent of people update their resume less often than once a year and nearly one in five have not updated their resume in over two years, ...

You've got lots to offer. You're smart, a snappy dresser and your manners are impeccable. You know your industry and profession inside out. Yet, you have a sinking suspicion your resume is never at the top of the pile and, until it is, you'll never have a chance to prove yourself in an interview.

While there are career opportunities out there, you're probably facing stiffer competition than the last time you went job hunting. That's why your first impression -- your resume -- is crucial.

"Because of the economy and so many people applying for positions, the only way to standout is to make a connection," explains Adrienne Tom, a Calgary-based resume writer.

"I recommend that people take the time to custom tailor a resume for every job they apply for."

Part of this should involve using key words that will stand out if your application is scanned electronically -- often, the first round of screening is done electronically, not by people. If your resume doesn't include certain words, it could be automatically deleted. Tom urges job seekers to carefully examine the job posting and identify emphasized words and phrases to repeat those in your resume.

"That small step goes a long way," she says.

Another common blunder Tom sees is simply listing duties and tasks. "Employers are looking for proof of your skills and abilities," she says. This means finding ways to quantify how well you did the job.

Nina Freier of the U.S.-based ResumeEdge notes that it can be difficult for people to determine the value they brought to an organization. "Most of us have been taught to be modest, and not brag. But when it comes to a resume, it's all about you." That's why it can be helpful for people to work with a professional to draft their resume.

In her view, selling yourself on paper isn't much different than first impressions in the flesh. Decisions are made almost immediately. "Nowadays, you want to get a recruiter's attention within 7-10 seconds," she says.

One of the things that can weaken the impact of a resume is a self-serving "objective" statement at the start of the document. Stating that you're seeking a job to enhance your career goals is not only obvious, but it also doesn't tell the employer

what you can do for them. Instead, do a qualification statement that offers a snapshot of your background and tells the employer why they should keep reading, says Freier.

With so many applications to look through, employers are not interested in your entire career history. Generally, professionals should focus only on the last 15 years; those in IT should only include the last 10 years.

While you may be eager to catch an employer's eye, be honest -- even if it's tough to resist the urge to exaggerate here and there. "My advice is, whatever you do, don't do that," says Freier. During your interview, this will become abundantly clear to your interviewer.

Also resist the urge to be cutesy with the formatting of your resume. A neatly laid-out Word file will suffice.

"I've received resumes that have a little tea bag on it with a note: 'Sit back, relax and read,' " she says. But this doesn't get you noticed -- nor does chocolate or brightly coloured paper. "Nowadays, it's all about what you bring to a job -- not the gimmicky stuff."

If you decide to hire a resume writer, there are many local and online ventures that can offer writing services, but both Freier and Tom recommend checking credentials carefully. "As with any industry, people out there can put out a shingle and say they're a resume writer," says Freier.

Working with a writer is "interactive," says Tom, so look for someone who wants to work closely with you. "People sometimes have a difficult time understanding what they really have to offer and it's my job to help them find those little golden nuggets of information and use them."

Caitlin Crawshaw crafts stories for newspapers, magazines and websites across North America. Visit her at www.inkslingermedia.com.

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.